Knit Bodice Add on Sew Along Day 4
Hello again and welcome to Day 4! Today we are going to start making the Knit Ayda dress by creating the bodice with sleeves! This dress is an entirely new pattern, no add-on, so all you need to do is grab the Knit Ayda dress pattern. If you got through the Knit Bella Dress on Day 2, and Knit Lucy on Day 3, hopefully you’ll find this one just as easy and fun! If you still need to grab a copy of this or any of the patterns featured in this sew-a-long, head on back to the Day 1 post where we’ve linked everything up for you. Don’t forget to use code SLPcoSAL to get 20% off. If you are joining us to sew up the Knit Ayda and have all your pieces cut, it’s time to sew! Grab your bodice and sleeve pieces and let’s go …
For this pattern you need to start with 2 front bodice and 4 back bodice pieces. If you are making it with a sleeve, then you will need 2 sleeve pieces as well.
If you are an Ayda pro already then go ahead and whip up that bodice! If you are following me, grab your front and back bodice pieces and head to your machine. Make sure that you have your machine set on a stretch stitch. You can do the one that looks like a “double” stitch, or there’s the one I like, the “lightening” stitch (the angled zig-zag). *IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are adding embellishments to the bodice do it now before you sew anything together!* Now place the main front and 2 main back bodice pieces RST and sew the shoulder seams together. Repeat for the lining pieces. If you find your machine eating your fabric, make sure you have a good tail of thread and start slightly in from the edge so that your feed dogs have enough fabric to catch and pull through. Once you have 2 sets of bodice pieces sewn at the shoulders, you are going to press those shoulder seams open. Then you will place both bodice pieces right sides together and sew along the neckline. If any of this seems confusing, don’t fret … Katie’s tutorial is very easy to follow and filled with photos! When you are done sewing the neckline, trim the seam allowance – this is very important so the neckline sits nicely once you turn it! This is what you should have now …
If you are doing a sleeveless version, you will also sew up the arm seams as well. Either way, it’s time to turn the bodice with right sides out and press to make it all nice and flat. If you are doing sleeveless, you’re done! If you are adding sleeves, now is the time to attach them! First, you will want to create a memory press on the sleeve, so take it over to the iron and fold up the hem and press. Then you will find the middle point of the sleeve and attach it to the shoulder seam then pin all around. Finally, you will stitch the sleeve to the bodice and finish the seams!
Once you have done both sides, you will put the bodice right sides together and sew up the side seams starting at the sleeve. If you need some extra visuals and direction, make sure you follow the pattern. Now, guess what?! You are almost done!
At this point, you will sew the hem on the sleeve. Now make sure that the bodice is right sides out and place the bodice front side down so you can overlap the back bodice. Once it’s overlapped enough, make sure to stitch the back bodice pieces together.
Your bodice is DONE! Isn’t that pretty? I can’t wait to see if you are adding a knit circle skirt or a gathered skirt tomorrow.
That is all for today. I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to catch up from Day 2 and 3. Make sure to add your bodice progress photos in the Day 4 album in the Simple Life Patterns Fan Group. Tag your photos with #SLPcoknitSAL and #SLPcoknitAyda when you load them.
Hope you enjoyed this and we will see you back again tomorrow to add the skirt. Until then, have a wonderful day!
~Katrina, Wild Bumbleberries
